IRAQ ARMY READY FOR COMPLETION
WASHINGTON — The Iraq Army was said to have nearly completed its
development.
A U.S. Defense Department report said Iraqi army and police personnel
have reached 277,600. The report said more than 92 percent of authorized
Iraq Army battalions have been assembled.
"Train-and-equip efforts remain focused on building combat support and
combat service support forces providing key enablers to Iraqi combat
forces," the report said. "When fully established, these units will provide
critical combat enablers, such as logistics and transportation support,
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance."
The report said more than 65 percent of authorized personnel in the Iraq
Army support forces have been trained and equipped. The Pentagon said
logistics units and overall logistics capability were improving with Iraqi
forces increasingly taking the lead in operations.
The Pentagon reported the operation of 106 Iraqi Army combat battalions
and eight Strategic Infrastructure Battalions. The report said more than
two-thirds of Iraq Army combat units were in the lead.
As of Aug. 7, 2006, five Iraqi Army divisions, 25 brigades and 85
battalions as well as two National Police battalions assumed lead
responsibility for security in their areas of operation. Many of these
units, however, remain hampered by a shortage of professional officers.
"The lack of junior officers and NCOs continues to be one of the biggest
factors impeding development of MoD [Ministry of Defense] forces," the
report said.
Officials said the Iraq Army was forming another three combat
battalions. They said 27 National Police battalions were operational and
active.
The report said the U.S. military was "on track" to meet the goal of
recruiting and training of Interior Ministry forces by the end of 2006. In
all, the police contains more than 71,324 trained officers.
"Although the force will be manned in the aggregate by the end of the
year, proper distribution is a challenge," the report said. "Certain areas
have a shortage of trained officers while additional hiring in other areas
has resulted in an overage in the force. Unprofessional and, at times,
criminal behavior has been attributed to certain units in the National
Police."
The police have been equipped with AK-47 assault rifles, PKC light
machine guns, Glock pistols, individual body armor, high frequency radios,
small and medium pick-up trucks, and mid-sized sport utility vehicles.
The report said the police in Baghdad and nine other cities were to have
received all of their equipment in August 2006. The Pentagon cited such
police equipment as armored security vehicles and REVA, a South African
wheeled APC.
At the same time, the Pentagon said, large shipments of Russian weapons
meant for the Iraqi police were delayed. Glock pistol delivery delays were
reported when a U.S. manufacturer challenged the award of the contract to a
non-U.S. company.
Communications gear was also delayed because of shipping problems. The
report said all of the problems were resolved and equipment fielding goals
were scheduled to be met by December 2006.
"The IPS in all 18 provinces have been provided with 66 percent of their
authorized equipment and will receive 100 percent of their authorized
equipment by the end of December 2006," the report said.
